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Obama: Pakistan Must Do More Against Terror Groups


FILE - President Barack Obama speaks about the release of Americans by Iran, Jan. 17, 2016, in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington.
FILE - President Barack Obama speaks about the release of Americans by Iran, Jan. 17, 2016, in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington.

U.S. President Barack Obama says Pakistan “can and must” do more against terror groups operating from within its borders.

In an interview published Sunday by the Press Trust of India, Obama said Pakistan can show it is serious about dismantling terror networks.

“In the region and around the world, there must be zero tolerance for safe havens and terrorists must be brought to justice,” Obama said.

Attack on Indian air base

Earlier this month, India blamed a Pakistan-based militant group for an attack on an Indian air force base that killed seven soldiers. Pakistan detained several members of the group, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and pledged its help to India’s investigation.

An Indian security personnel stands guard on a building at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base at Pathankot in Punjab, India, Jan. 5, 2016.
An Indian security personnel stands guard on a building at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base at Pathankot in Punjab, India, Jan. 5, 2016.

Obama condemned the attack in his comments to PTI, saying it showed why the U.S. and India are working together to fight terrorism. He called the base attack “another example of the inexcusable terrorism that India has endured for too long.”

The issue of militants operating from inside Pakistan has long been a target for U.S. criticism, with its tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan considered hubs for Taliban and al-Qaida-linked fighters.

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